FIFA pushes ahead with World Cup share sale despite European opposition

FIFA president Gianni Infantino, 56, has announced plans to sell the World Cup’s ownership shares to private investors, a move the governing body calls a misunderstanding but says will go ahead. UEFA and a bloc of European countries have condemned the multi‑billion‑euro proposal and warned they could boycott the tournament.

Infantino, who has led FIFA since 2016, said the sale would involve transferring the World Cup’s commercial rights to a consortium of private investors, aiming to generate billions of euros for the organisation. He presented the plan as a way to modernise the tournament’s financing.

UEFA, the continent’s governing body, together with a coalition of European national associations, issued a statement rejecting the plan, arguing that the World Cup should remain under public or collective ownership. The officials stressed the importance of keeping the competition’s governance within the sport’s traditional structures.

Infantino pitches World Cup sale as UEFA and Pro League chief balk

The European bloc warned that if the sale proceeds, they could organise a boycott of the tournament, potentially jeopardising participation and broadcasting agreements. Such a boycott would have far‑reaching implications for the event’s global reach.

FIFA responded by describing the backlash as a misunderstanding of its intentions, insisting that the transaction will continue as scheduled. The federation reiterated its commitment to move forward with the sale despite the criticism.

Global backlash erupts as Infantino plans to sell World Cup shares

The dispute is set to unfold in the coming weeks as FIFA prepares to present the sale to potential investors while European officials prepare their next steps. Observers will watch closely how the conflict influences the World Cup’s future commercial landscape.